Select a business that is willing to let you install Google Analytics on their site. Once the business has agreed to participate in the Challenge, get Google Analytics up and running as soon as possible [http://www.google.com/analytics]. While Google Analytics is not required in the Challenge, many of my top performing teams from past Challenges found Google Analytics to be extremely helpful.

Not only is linking the accounts a free service, but there are some distinct advantages associated with linking Analytics and AdWords. First, it helps to consolidate all marketing activities in one place. Second, it simplifies the ability to analyze online marketing activity. Finally, it provides some insight on the quality of AdWords site traffic, not just the quantity of traffic.

Google provides advice on how to link a Google Analytics account to an AdWords account. Andrew Nelson, a JMU student competing in the 2010 Google Challenge, shared some additional advice with me on how to link Google Analytics to Google AdWords. His advice assumes that the same Google Account is being used for the Google AdWords account (for the competition) and the Google Analytics account (for the competition). It is also assumed that this Google Account has administrator access for AdWords and Analytics. If needed, the Analytics and AdWords accounts can be shared with any Google Account and be given administrator access. Once these assumptions are in place, follow the steps below to link Analytics with AdWords:

Under the “reporting” tab in the AdWords interface, click on “Google Analytics.”

Select the option “I already have a Google Analytics account. Please link it to this AdWords account.”

Click “Continue.”

If the above assumptions are true, there will be a pull down for “Existing Google Analytics Account” and the account should be selected in that field.

Make sure the “Destination URL Auto-tagging” box is checked (this will allow for some deeper Analytics data).

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

As an active professor involved in the Google Online Marketing Challenge, I wanted to write about how to select a business for the competition. The 2010 Google Student Guide (page 8 specifically) provides general guidance for selecting and working with a business or organization. For the Challenge experience to be most rewarding, selecting the right business is critical.

In sum, Google advises students to select a small-to-medium enterprises (SME), business or non-profit, under 100 employees, that has a website but does not currently use Google AdWords (and has not used AdWords in the past 6 months). Google has content guidelines and will not run AdWords on sites that promote inappropriate items such as academic aids, bulk marketing, counterfeit designer goods or cigarettes. Prospective clients should not have participated in the 2009 Challenge.

Below is additional guidance to help in selecting a suitable client. These tips reflect my personal views and past experience working with students on the Challenge. They do not represent official views of Google, the Google Online Marketing Challenge, or the 2010 Google Student Guide.Dr. Theresa Flaherty's Top Tips for Selecting a Business for the Challenge

Utilize your network of friends, family, co-workers, professors, and acquaintances to assist with initial brainstorming. Come up with at least ten different businesses that would be good candidates for the Challenge.

Seek businesses that are open to making some minor changes on their website. Either they can make the changes on their end, or your team can make the changes (if they are willing to provide you the necessary security credentials to modify their site). This is not a requirement of the Challenge, but something that is quite helpful. Typically I advise students to select businesses where the point of contact is willing and able to make minor modifications to the website on short notice if needed. If major modifications are needed to the site, it provides a great learning experience but creates an added layer of complexity to the project.

Meet with the prospective clients personally to get a feel for what it might be like to work with them. Are they hard or easy to reach by phone, e-mail, social media, etc.? Are they responsive to your questions? Do they seem genuinely interested in working with you? The more the client collaborates with you, the better the experience for everyone involved.

This is definitely not a requirement of the Challenge, but I believe a local business is preferable over a non-local business. One reason is that it is easier to meet the client in person when they are in close proximity. Another reason is that it assists in local/regional PR efforts and community outreach associated with your institution. Coming from a public, state institution of higher education, I believe it is important to support the local businesses in our area. Of course, a non-local based business is acceptable for the competition if the team has a great connection elsewhere.

Carefully evaluate the website of the prospective clients to determine if a basic structure is set in place to develop highly focused campaigns. Think about the different kinds of campaigns and Ad Groups you might run in AdWords and then examine the "landing pages" of the client to assess the overall relevancy. Here, you are seeking a strong fit between your online marketing ideas and the existing landing pages of the prospective client.

Select a business that has a lot of content on their website and does not use FLASH or other non-HTML technology.

Double-check that the business was not used as a client for the 2009 Challenge.

Double-check (and triple-check) to ensure that the client does not use AdWords and has not used AdWords in the past 6 months. I had two occasions where teams were told by the client that their business does not use AdWords, but upon further exploration the teams learned that the business did indeed use AdWords. Why does this happen? Sometimes the point of contact at the business does not understand AdWords. Sometimes the point of contact does not realize that another member of the business, often in a different department, is running an AdWords account. Sometimes the point of contact forgot that he/she tried AdWords a long time ago, and the account is still running.

Select a business that is willing to let you install Google Analytics on their site. Once the business has agreed to participate in the Challenge, get Google Analytics up and running as soon as possible. http://www.google.com/analytics/. While Google Analytics is not required in the Challenge, many of my top performing teams from past Challenges found Google Analytics to be extremely helpful.

Finally, select a business that you like and understand. If you are not excited about the business and their products/services, it won't be a fun experience.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

I am more than happy to help my students with their job search. But I am often surprised by a few common mistakes I see with regard to references.

Students, please take my advice when using references in applying for jobs. References can better help if you do two simple things:

a) Ask your references to actually serve as a reference. Don't make the assumption that someone wants to, or will be, a reference just because you had interactions with them. I just received a phone call from a prospective employer who indicated that one of my former students listed me as her reference. This student never asked me to serve as her reference but made an assumption that I would be a reference. (Recall the famous saying about what happens when you "assume"? I won't repeat it here.) The bottom line is that you should simply ask people to serve in this capacity.

b) For the people who have agreed to serve as a reference, inform them about your situation so they are prepared to talk about you. Personally, I like to have a copy of someone's resume or access to a LinkedIn profile. I also like to know career plans, the types of organizations that may be contacting me, and where someone is in a particular job search process (e.g., initial applicant, just had a second interview, etc.).

Do these two simple things and you increase the chances of references making a positive impact. You also create fewer surprises.

Friday, October 30, 2009

I am seeking ambitious, self-directed, entrepreneurial, highly motivated, responsible, and talented JMU students who are interested in participating in The 2010 Google Online Marketing Challenge. Contact me at flahertb@jmu.edu for details.

The 2009 WINNING Team from the JMU Department of Marketing:

One of my 2009 JMU Marketing teams was ranked in the top four in the world out of 2,187 teams; two other JMU Marketing teams were in the top 150 in the world. As part of winning the America's region, me and my 2009 JMU Marketing team will be traveling to the Googleplex in November of 2009.

One of my 2008 JMU Marketing teams was ranked in the top ten in the world out of 1,670 teams; four other JMU Marketing teams were in the top 10% in the world. As part of the finalist award package, me and my 2008 JMU Marketing team visited the Googleplex in the fall of 2008.

A few of my 2009 students share insights about their Challenge Experience

Participating in the Google Online Challenge added a valuable marketing tool to my skill-set that separated me from other candidates when applying for jobs after graduation. There are a number of incredible opportunities in both small and large companies that value a marketer's understanding of Search Engine Marketing.Brandon Sockwell, sockwebr@gmail.com
2009 Americas Winner

The hands on experience is far more beneficial than simply learning in a class. Multiple times throughout interviewing and my job search I was able to draw from what I had learned while participating and use as talking points to employers. In addition to helping you get a job, it is something that you use everyday and is so much more interesting when you know how it works.Stephanie Sanders,stephdsanders@gmail.com

You should participate in the 2010 Google Online Marketing Challenge because online marketing is the present and future of marketing. Given the fast past nature of the industry, the Google Challenge is one of the only ways you can gain hands on up to date internet marketing experience while in school. If you are looking for something of value for employers to stand out on your resume, this is it...Paige Payne, paynepc@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

One of my former JMU marketing students, W. Jesse Wright, recently completed an intern program at Crispin Porter + Bogusky (CP+B), a top awarded advertising agency in the US. I was excited for Jesse and wanted to hear more about how he landed the internship. Jesse contributed to this blog post by sharing his story and providing some advice for current students.

Jesse graduated from James Madison University in December ‘08 and applied for a CP+B spring internship through the traditional channel, sending his resume and cover letter to Human Resources. This landed no tangible results and he soon found himself in the worst job market in 30 years. He continued to shoot resumes and cover letters to local firms and companies all over the US. Realizing the walls he was running into and fed up with presenting himself via 8.5 x 11” PDF files, Jesse decided to take a chance. He sent his application to a local firm with his resume taped to the back of a champagne bottle suggesting the reader “enjoy some bubbly while looking over [Jesse’s] qualifications.” It worked! He got an interview! No job, but an interview!
The free booze was a nice touch but Jesse knew the tactic was not the ultimate solution. “I knew that a gimmick would get me noticed but I really needed to connect with the decision maker and present quality content in an original, attention-grabbing way,” Jesse said.

Jesse wanted to take another stab at CP+B. He researched the top decision makers and found out that one executive played guitar and the agency had donated hundreds of guitars to local youth. Jesse utilized social media to reach out to him, hoping to gain some wisdom and perspective from the industry veteran. Jesse communicated an ultra-abbreviated resume and asked his advice. Jesse also threw in a guitar joke he had heard two guitar-playing buddies say a few months before.

BINGO! The executive responded, encouraging Jesse to apply for an upcoming internship. Jesse then replied back, asking if there was anyone he could speak to about the process. The guitar-shredding, advice-giving executive then gave Jesse “the password” he should use in contacting his assistant. (Unfortunately, by threat of bludgeoning, this password cannot be shared.) Jesse contacted said assistant the next morning and simply asked for her advice in applying for a future position with the firm. She got Jesse in touch with the Intern Manager. After five casual, but intense, interviews later Jesse was on the road to the internship. He says he approached interviews as mutual conversations. Jesse remarked, “Imagine you are speaking with an old friend that you haven’t seen in a long time. There are always personal connection points between you and the interviewer. It is your job to find those, present yourself in a way aligned with your extensive company research, show passion for helping the company reach its goals, and hopefully authentically connect with this person.”

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Keep in mind that advertising agencies are most likely to fill full-time positions when: 1) the applicant is an advertising genius and gets the agency's attention, 2) the agency is diversifying services and the applicant is a specialist in the field and gets the agency's attention, and/or 3) the agency landed a new client, the applicant is both an expert in the new client’s industry and gets the attention of the agency. If you do not fall into one of the above three categories, another strategy may be in order.

Let's take a look at the key success factors from Jesse's experience:

1. Before communicating with CP+B, Jesse did his homework by reading industry news such as Career Advice from CP+B, B-NET, Creativity, etc. As an additional suggestion, check out what is available in Twitter such as @CPBInterns.

2. Jesse utilized social media and grew his network with a focus on quality content. He reached out on LinkedIn, Facebook, and built a solid base of followers through Twitter @wjessewright. Jesse emphasized that his approach is not “media based” but is “message based.” He says, “As in traditional design, the form of communication here should follow its function. The focus of such a high content message like a job application will not ‘stick’ with only gimmicks.”

3. While Jesse's communications with CP+B were pro-active, they were not aggressive. The conversations started with obtaining advice and guidance. They moved on to expressing Jesse’s passion and connecting his skills with CP+B’s goals.

4. Jesse paid attention to the details and showed CP+B that he was listening to them.

5. Jesse showed appreciation for the time given to him with personal notes and respect.

If you have suggestions on how to get an internship in advertising, feel free to comment on this post.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

The number of marketing professionals in the Washington , DC area is on the rise every year. To address this increasing interest in the advertising industry, the DC Ad Club, a not-for-profit organization for area communications professionals, is again hosting their fall event. Advertising Week DC 2009 will bring together advertising industry leaders, professionals and university students on September 14-18 for presentations and speeches by some of the most successful and inspirational individuals in the field.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

One of the courses that I teach at James Madison University is Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC). My undergraduate students often ask about opportunities in post-graduate education in IMC. Here are my recommendations for top graduate schools that provide an IMC focus or an IMC concentration:

Creative Circus - Don't let the name fool you. This is a top portfolio-building school specializing in advertising art direction, advertising copy writing, commercial photography and design. Interactive, digital and traditional disciplines are all taught, producing grads who are ready for the best jobs in their chosen fields.

The Miami Ad School - The most awarded ad school in the world, based on the quality of awards received by their students (Source: Gunn Report).

Northwestern University - Known for producing some of the best communicators in the world. When I think of pioneering IMC, I think of Northwestern.

Monday, June 29, 2009

I just read a fascinating article written by Raquel Laneri from Forbes.com. Raquel provides excellent insight and advice about common body language mistakes in classroom, social, and business settings. While her article is aimed at professional businesswomen, there are some great tidbits in there for men as well.

--Avoid excessive smiling; instead make your facial expressions congruent with what you are saying.

--Don't fold your arms in front of you.

--Never play with or tug at your hair, jewelry, or clothes.

How can you become aware of some of these habits and learn to suppress them? First, ask a trusted friend, colleague, mentor, or business partner to provide some honest feedback about your non-verbal body language. Once they help you to identify the undesirable gestures, try to replace a bad habit (e.g., tugging at jewelry) with something that might not be so noticeable (e.g., wiggling your toes). Another idea is to give a speech in front of a videocamera. Watch the video without the sound on in order to focus on your non-verbal gestures. Finally, watch yourself in a mirror while you speak to someone on the telephone. This allows you the opportunity to become self-aware of body language in a more private setting.

Friday, June 12, 2009

According to a Jump Start Media poll of hiring managers, 75% use LinkedIn, 48% use Facebook, and 26% use Twitter to research candidates before making job offers. Chris Russell, from Secrets of the Job Hunt, advises job hunters to "Start with one service, get comfortable with it, and branch out from there. The easiest, safest choice is LinkedIn because it has always been 100% business focused."

I concur with Chris' advice because LinkedIn is well known for helping people to find jobs, identify business partners, keep in touch with professional colleagues, and so much more. There are many excellent resources about how to use LinkedIn. One of my favorites is How to be a LinkedIn Superstar by Larry Weintraub (CEO of Fanscape, a leading Digital Engagement Marketing Agency).

Recently, LinkedIn has developed two new resources specifically geared towards helping recent college graduates find jobs. I strongly recommend these resources for '09 grads who want to network professionally in LinkedIn:

Friday, May 15, 2009

So you ventured into Twitter, what next? Before you start tweeting, it is important to think carefully about how to present yourself in this very public timeline. I recently viewed a series of tweets that looked something like this:

so pissed off ....and it's only 8:30am.

head hurts.

is so bored at work.

just got out of the most dull meeting in the world.

finished my lunch, back to work.

checking out what's up in facebook.

get me out of here, 30 minutes until work is over.

My first reaction to this series of tweets was "WOW --- what a downer!" I know we all have our days when we wake up on the wrong side of the bed, but Twitter is not the venue to vent about every frustrating experience, especially if you are a potential job candidate.

In Avelyn Austin's blogpost entitled How to Google Bomb Yourself, she advises Twitter users to "Twitter Tastefully" by ensuring that tweets are employer appropriate. Whether you are on the job market or not, ask yourself two important questions before you tweet:

Do I want my employer, or a potential employer, to read my tweet?

Is my tweet a result of a highly negative emotion (you might regret it)?

Twitter asks "What are you doing?" in the dialog box, but avoid using that opportunity to complain. Instead of a constant stream of negativity, aim for tweets that are relevant, engaging, original, and uplifting. You are more likely to gain a stream of like-minded followers and you are more likely to land a job when you think before you tweet.